Sadly our dear whanaunga, friend and colleague Willa Outten passed away suddenly on 27 March 2020 at her home.

 

Willa Outten

Ohorere ana te wairua e te ruahine.

Te rangona kua wehe atu koe

E kore e taea te pēhea

Haere, e te rangatira

E rere Willa ki ngā whetu piataata, ko koe tēra

E rere Willa ki ō maunga whakahii, ki te pito o tō ao

Ki Nūhaka, okioki.

Ko koe te whakawhitinga mai o te rā,

Ko koe te anihau whakamenemene

E rere te manu, kore atatau, haere i tō haere

Kei konā o hoa mahi e tātari mai ana ki a koe.

E rere te hoa pūmau, te hoa pono

Te wahine hūmarie, manaaki, aroha

. Kei te tangi, kei te haku te ngakau

Aue taukuri e...

 

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night

. Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.

I am not there. I did not die.